Smallville’s Allison Mack Apologizes For Role In NXIVM Sex Cult, But How Much Time Could She Spend In Prison?

Allison Mack in smallville screenshot

It’s been over three years since Smallville actress Allison Mack was arrested for her reported part in training and grooming women for Keith Raniere’s now-infamous NXIVM sex cult. In the time since, more details have emerged and Mack herself pled guilty for “racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges related to her role in the group.” Now, she’s speaking out about role in the sex cult and has apologized ahead of her upcoming sentencing in court.

Allison Mack Has Apologized For Her Role In Sex Cult NXIVM

Allison Mack’s attorneys recently put together sentencing recommendations ahead of her ultimate sentencing. As part of those documents, she also wrote a letter apologizing and explaining what she feels her mindset was while involved in the NXIVM cult. Part of the letter (via THR) reads thusly:

It is now of paramount importance for me to say, from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry. I threw myself into the teachings of Keith Raniere with everything I had. I believed, whole-heartedly, that his mentorship was leading me to a better, more enlightened version of myself. I devoted my loyalty, my resources, and, ultimately, my life to him. This was the biggest mistake and regret of my life.

Currently, Allison Mack’s lawyers are asking for no jail time in the NXIVM case following her trial. Mack has reportedly helped with the investigation into NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere following his arrest. She complied with investigators and even provided an audio tape detailing the branding ceremony that Mack herself had taken part in -- and allegedly was responsible for creating.

How Much Time Could Allison Mack Spend in Jail?

Normally, a person facing the same charges as the former Smallville star would be sentenced to 169-210 months in prison. That would be an average of 14-17.5 years, according to Law and Crime. However, as noted prior, due to Allison Mack's cooperation with authorities, her lawyers are asking for no jail time. The argument? That the former TV star has suffered enough at the hands of Keith Raniere.

Keith Raniere himself has already been sentenced to 120 years in prison. The former cult leader was sentenced in the fall of 2020 and is already 60 years of age at the time of this writing. Another involved member Clare Bronfman was given a nearly 7-year sentence and if she serves the full amount, will be in prison for six years and nine months. As for Allison Mack, her court case has dragged on following her pleading guilty way back in 2019. She has stated she was "lost" during her years with NXIVM for quite some time now and her most recently apology also reflects that attitude:

I am sorry to those of you that I brought into Nxivm. I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man. I am sorry that I encouraged you to use your resources to participate in something that was ultimately so ugly. I do not take lightly the responsibility I have in the lives of those I love and I feel a heavy weight of guilt for having misused your trust, leading you down a negative path.

It's unclear if Allison Mack will be able to avoid jail time. The actress is due for sentencing on June 30. Last year, HBO released a documentary about NXIVM and the events surround the arrests of various members. That documentary, The Vow, can be streamed on HBO Max.

Jessica Rawden
Managing Editor

Jessica Rawden is Managing Editor at CinemaBlend. She’s been kicking out news stories since 2007 and joined the full-time staff in 2014. She oversees news content, hiring and training for the site, and her areas of expertise include theme parks, rom-coms, Hallmark (particularly Christmas movie season), reality TV, celebrity interviews and primetime. She loves a good animated movie. Jessica has a Masters in Library Science degree from Indiana University, and used to be found behind a reference desk most definitely not shushing people. She now uses those skills in researching and tracking down information in very different ways.